Rep. Herrell introduces bill to use foreign aid to deport illegal immigrants and stop migrant caravans

FIRST ON FOX: Representative Yvette Herrell, RN.M., introduced legislation on Thursday that would see the United States use foreign aid to pay for the deportation of illegal immigrants, as part of an effort to repel migrant caravans coming in the USA.

Anti-Caravan Act of 2022 directs the State Department to use $60 million in funds already earmarked for foreign aid to pay up to 70% of the cost of repatriation flights for illegal immigrants from Central America to their country of origin.

REPRESENTATIVE DESJARLAIS INTRODUCES HOUSE VERSION OF BILL ALLOWING TITLE 42 TO BE USED TO STOP DRUG SMUGGLING

It would also require the State Department to develop a program to provide money to countries that have a policy that discourages illegal migration to the United States. This funding would be used for detention, case processing and repatriation flights. Herrell’s office said the money did not come from anti-drug money to Colombia or to confront Venezuela’s Maduro regime, but rather money to stop illegal immigration.

The legislation would also make migrants who take part in a caravan – defined as a group of 25 or more people – ineligible for asylum for 10 years. Caravan organizers would be ineligible for 30 years and face a prison sentence of at least 10 years. The bill also stipulates that asylum seekers must apply for asylum through a port of entry.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO LIFT TITLE 42 AT END OF MAY, DESPITE FEAR OF IMPENDING MIGRANT WAVE

Migrant caravans that can easily overwhelm Border Patrol agents have been a constant concern for years. Border Patrol chief Raul Ortiz said this week that two large groups totaling 275 migrants were encountered within hours of each other.

“These are coordinated illegal entries into the United States by transnational criminal organizations with the intent to exhaust our resources in one area, in an attempt to exploit other locations,” he said. .

The bill comes as the Biden administration’s plan to lift the Title 42 public health order, which was used to deport more than half of migrants arriving at the border, is causing widespread concern. Republicans and Democrats have warned that this could lead to a crushing increase in migrants. DHS has forecast up to 18,000 migrants a day, and Border Patrol has already encountered about 8,000 a day — often coming in large groups.

While the Biden administration has blamed root causes like violence, poverty and climate change, Republicans have blamed the administration’s policies for persistently high numbers of migrants.

Herrell, in a statement, accused the Biden administration of seeking to throw away the few tools available to fix the situation, such as Title 42 and staying in Mexico.

“Mass migrant caravans are a threat to national security and an affront to United States sovereignty; my legislation would use existing funds to repatriate aliens in cooperation with friendly Central American nations, including communities and Indigenous peoples are also harmed by illegal caravans,” she said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“We must make it clear to the organizers and participants of these caravans: you will not violate our borders and you will not violate our laws by numbers,” she said.

It’s one of many Republican efforts to combat soaring numbers. Republicans in the House and Senate have tabled legislation allowing the use of Title 42 under the guise of stopping drug trafficking, while state Republicans have sued to stop the end of the order.